Should Nigeria make NRBVN part of e-governance ID (See Why)

See why Nigeria Should make NRBVN part of e-governance ID Nigeria stands at a pivotal juncture in its national development journey. As digital transformation accelerates globally, e-governance has become more than a convenience it is a necessity. Yet, the fragmentation of Nigeria’s digital identity ecosystem is holding back progress. The Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), originally designed to provide financial inclusion for Nigerians abroad, holds untapped potential to unify, authenticate, and empower diaspora citizens in government systems.

 NRBVN must be adopted as a core component of Nigeria’s e-governance ID infrastructure. Why? Because NRBVN already connects verified identity with financial behavior, diaspora activity, and biometric integrity. The data is clean. The users are engaged. The security is strong.

Nigeria has over 17 million citizens abroad, many of whom are disenfranchised in public services, policymaking, and national development simply due to weak identification systems. They cannot vote easily, access NIMC-related services, or prove their eligibility for scholarships, legal aid, or property rights from afar. NRBVN changes that instantly.

By incorporating NRBVN into a wider digital ID strategy, Nigeria gains a secure, tested, and already-adopted digital identity platform. It brings revenue, civic participation, and a connected diaspora. This paper will not only prove why this must happen but will lay out exactly how it should be done. If Nigeria is serious about global influence, digital inclusion, and transparent governance, then the question is not whether to integrate NRBVN into e-governance it is how soon we can get it done.

2. Introduction to E-Governance and Identity Systems

The 21st century belongs to nations that invest in digital infrastructure. Across the globe, governments are racing to implement e-governance—systems that allow public services to be delivered, monitored, and optimized through digital platforms. The core of every e-governance strategy, whether in Estonia, India, or Rwanda, is one foundational element: a trusted, secure, and universally accepted digital identity system.

Without digital identity, there is no e-governance. That’s a fact. Every service voter registration, tax compliance, immigration processing, land ownership, licensing, healthcare, education requires knowing who the citizen is, where they belong, and what they are entitled to. The days of paper records, local government files, and duplicate identities are over. They are inefficient, insecure, and fundamentally incompatible with a digital state.

 The Global Shift Toward Digital Identity

Let’s look at global best practices. Estonia, often cited as the world’s most digitally advanced nation, introduced its e-residency ID in 2014. This ID allows residents and global entrepreneurs to access over 99% of government services online. Their digital ID underpins everything—from voting to paying taxes to accessing healthcare. The result? Near-total efficiency, minimal corruption, and global competitiveness.

India rolled out the Aadhaar system a biometric digital ID linked to financial services, tax systems, subsidies, and public services for over a billion people. Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya have made similar progress, tying national IDs to mobile money and citizen services.

The pattern is clear: e-governance succeeds only when digital identity systems are robust, scalable, and inclusive especially for diaspora citizens.

Nigeria’s Struggles with Identity Fragmentation

Now contrast that with Nigeria. The country currently juggles multiple ID systems:

NIN (National Identification Number) from NIMC

BVN (Bank Verification Number) from CBN

Voter ID from INEC

International Passport from NIS

Driver’s License from FRSC

Health and Taxpayer IDs from NHIS and FIRS

Each system is siloed, incomplete, and often redundant. Citizens are forced to re-enroll, re-verify, and re-present documents across agencies. This fragmentation results in massive inefficiencies, duplicated efforts, high costs, fraud, and ultimately disenfranchisement.

And for Nigerians in the diaspora? The situation is even worse. Most can’t register for NIN without visiting Nigeria or an embassy. Many can’t access federal scholarships, vote, own land, or conduct business securely from abroad. Why? Because there is no unified digital identity system that includes them by default.

The Critical Link Between Identity and Access

Digital identity isn’t just about knowing who someone is it’s about enabling what they can do. A robust e-governance ID does three things:

1. Authentication: Proves that someone is who they claim to be.

2. Authorization: Grants them access to services they are entitled to.

3. Auditability: Creates transparent, secure records of government-citizen interactions.

Without all three, government services are prone to fraud, waste, and abuse. With all three, the government can scale services, track performance, and deliver equitable development. Right now, Nigeria’s existing systems don’t achieve this triad especially for non-residents. But NRBVN does.

Why E-Governance Must Be Inclusive

A digital government that excludes its diaspora is not truly digital. Nigeria’s over 17 million citizens abroad contribute billions annually through remittances, diaspora bonds, tourism, investment, and advocacy. Yet most of them cannot:

Access NIN remotely

Secure land titles or power of attorney without in-person verification

Vote during elections

Apply for government grants or scholarships

File taxes or conduct legal processes without proxies

This is not just a policy failure it’s a lost opportunity. Nigeria is leaving talent, money, and innovation on the table simply because its digital ID ecosystem is not diaspora-ready.

The key to solving this? Integrate NRBVN into the national e-governance ID framework.

NRBVN: A Quiet Game-Changer

The Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, was originally intended for financial inclusion allowing Nigerians abroad to open and operate bank accounts without being physically present. It uses biometric and document-based verification, tied to official government records.

What few realize is that NRBVN already does what NIN struggles to do:

It verifies identity remotely.

It links individuals to their financial footprints.

It is secure, standardized, and centrally stored.

It is already adopted by Nigerians abroad.

The only thing NRBVN lacks is official recognition as part of Nigeria’s e-governance ID system. That’s not a technical problem it’s a policy oversight.

 It’s Time to Connect the Dots

The world is not waiting. E-governance is accelerating, and digital inclusion is no longer optional. Nigeria must evolve its identity infrastructure to meet the needs of its 220 million citizens and its 17 million abroad. If we do not modernize and integrate, we will continue to waste time, lose revenue, and forfeit global leadership.

Making NRBVN part of Nigeria’s e-governance ID isn’t just a good idea it’s a necessary step toward national relevance and resilience in the digital age.

3. What is NRBVN and Why It Matters

To appreciate why NRBVN must be part of Nigeria’s e-governance identity system, we must first understand what it is, how it works, and why it is already ahead of most other national ID schemes in functionality and adoption among Nigerians in the diaspora.

What is NRBVN?

NRBVN stands for Non-Resident Bank Verification Number. It is a unique biometric and demographic identifier issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Nigerians who live outside the country. Just like the traditional BVN issued within Nigeria, the NRBVN links individuals to their financial and personal data, but with one major difference: it is designed for remote onboarding.

In essence, NRBVN allows Nigerians abroad to register their identity with Nigerian financial institutions securely, biometrically, and without stepping foot in Nigeria. This makes it revolutionary.

 Key Features of NRBVN

1. Biometric Verification: Like BVN, NRBVN requires fingerprints, facial recognition, and other biometric data. This ensures uniqueness and integrity.

2. Remote Onboarding: Applicants can enroll from anywhere in the world through CBN-accredited agents, consulates, or even virtual verification portals.

3. Integration with Banks: Once enrolled, the NRBVN can be used to open, operate, and manage Nigerian bank accounts.

4. Link to Existing ID Records: NRBVN is cross-referenced with international passports, NIN (where applicable), and other documentation.

5. Centralized Database: All NRBVNs are stored in a secure central database managed by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), under the supervision of the CBN.

NRBVN is essentially a biometric identity system that already connects Nigerians abroad to their financial and demographic data. This makes it a powerful tool one that Nigeria is severely underutilizing.

Why Was NRBVN Created?

The origin of NRBVN is rooted in necessity. The Nigerian diaspora, despite contributing over \$20 billion in remittances annually, was largely excluded from the financial system due to the strict KYC (Know Your Customer) rules that required in-person verification.

This created several problems:

Nigerians abroad struggled to open or maintain Nigerian bank accounts.

Fraud and identity theft increased as proxy registrations became common.

Many diaspora citizens resorted to using third-party or non-Nigerian channels for financial transactions, costing the Nigerian economy billions in lost fees and foreign exchange.

To solve this, the CBN introduced the NRBVN to:

Make financial services accessible to Nigerians living abroad.

Improve financial system security.

Boost foreign remittance flows through regulated channels.

Extend the reach of national identity infrastructure beyond Nigeria’s borders.

But what started as a financial inclusion tool has grown into something far more powerful.

NRBVN Is Already a De Facto Diaspora ID

Though officially “just” a banking identifier, NRBVN has quickly become the most practical and widely used ID for Nigerians living abroad. Why? Because it’s:

Accepted by Nigerian banks for opening accounts.

Recognized by embassies and consulates for basic services.

Used in private sector transactions, such as housing, remittances, and property acquisition.

Linkable to other identifiers, such as NIN and international passports.

In reality, NRBVN is already functioning as a digital identity it simply hasn’t been formalized as such by the government.

The Critical Advantages of NRBVN

Let’s break down why NRBVN is such a powerful identity tool and why integrating it into e-governance makes strategic sense:

1. Remote Registration and Verification

Most Nigerian government ID systems especially NIN require in-person biometrics. For diaspora Nigerians, this is expensive, time-consuming, and logistically difficult. NRBVN solves this through remote biometric onboarding, which is:

Faster

Cheaper

More inclusive

2. Secure and Reliable

The NRBVN leverages CBN’s trusted infrastructure and is managed by NIBSS, a body with a strong track record of cybersecurity, integrity, and real-time database management. It is far more resilient and secure than many legacy government systems.

3. Already Adopted by Millions

Thousands of Nigerians abroad already use NRBVN to manage finances and prove identity in cross-border situations. There is no need to reinvent the wheel or introduce another ID layer when NRBVN already meets core requirements.

4. Financial Traceability and Compliance

Unlike traditional national IDs, NRBVN is linked to verified bank accounts. This enables financial transparency, anti-money laundering compliance, and tax traceability. For a government struggling to broaden its tax net and fight fraud, this linkage is invaluable.

5. Cross-Border Recognition Potential

As global financial and legal systems increasingly demand verified digital identity, NRBVN stands as a Nigerian-issued, internationally-verifiable ID with biometric anchors. That’s a strong geopolitical advantage.

Where NRBVN Currently Falls Short

Despite its strengths, NRBVN is not officially classified as a national ID. This limits its functionality in certain areas:

It is not accepted for voter registration.

It is not integrated into the NIMC database.

It cannot be used to access most e-government portals.

It is not recognized for public scholarships, diaspora voting, or land registration.

These gaps are not due to technical limitations but rather a failure to designate NRBVN as an e-governance identity.

By recognizing NRBVN as a valid and official component of Nigeria’s digital ID framework, the government can immediately unlock access for millions of Nigerians abroad without building a new system or platform.

The Strategic Opportunity

Consider this: Nigeria has already built a powerful, biometric, secure, internationally-accessible identity system in the form of NRBVN. The data is centralized, the technology is proven, and the users are engaged.

So why are we still asking diaspora Nigerians to fly home to register for NIN? Why are we sidelining a working system that already bridges identity and finance—the two cornerstones of modern governance?

This is not just inefficient it’s irrational.

NRBVN is not some experimental tool. It is a functioning, scalable identity platform used daily by Nigerians abroad to interface with Nigerian financial institutions. It has security, adoption, legal structure, and cross-border capability.

The case is clear: NRBVN should be recognized not only as a financial ID, but as a national e-governance ID. Doing so will instantly extend Nigeria’s digital infrastructure beyond its borders, bringing millions of legitimate, tax-paying, voting, participating citizens into the fold of government.